Jump to content

American Future Fund: Difference between revisions

Add links
Coordinates: 41°32′47″N 93°38′42″W / 41.5463°N 93.6449°W / 41.5463; -93.6449
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
m Reverted edits by 108.73.114.44 (talk) to last version by Arthur Rubin
GreenC bot (talk | contribs)
Bots
2,516,213 edits
 
(44 intermediate revisions by 30 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
⚫
{{Infobox organization
{{cleanup-reorganize|date=October 2012}}
⚫
{{Infobox non-profit
| name = American Future Fund
| name = American Future Fund
| image = [[File:American Future Fund Logo.png|240px]]
| image = American Future Fund Logo.png
| image_size = 240px
| caption = American Future Fund logo
| caption = American Future Fund logo
| founder =
| founder =
Line 10: Line 10:
| founded_date = {{Start date|2007}}<ref name="2010-990"/>
| founded_date = {{Start date|2007}}<ref name="2010-990"/>
| location = 4225 Fleur Drive Ste 142<br>[[Des Moines, Iowa]] 50312
| location = 4225 Fleur Drive Ste 142<br>[[Des Moines, Iowa]] 50312
| coordinates = <!-- {{Coord|LAT|LON|display=inline,title}} -->
| coordinates = {{coord|41.5463|N|93.6449|W|display=inline, title}}
| origins =
| origins =
| key_people = Sandy Greiner, President<ref name="2010-990">{{cite web | url=http://dynamodata.fdncenter.org/990_pdf_archive/260/260620554/260620554_201012_990O.pdf | title=2010 IRS Form 990 Federal Tax Return | publisher=Foundation Center | accessdate=October 4, 2012}}</ref>
| key_people = Sandra Greiner, President<ref name="2010-990">{{cite web | url=http://dynamodata.fdncenter.org/990_pdf_archive/260/260620554/260620554_201012_990O.pdf | title=2010 IRS Form 990 Federal Tax Return | publisher=Foundation Center | access-date=October 4, 2012 }}{{Dead link|date=October 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
| area_served = United States
| area_served = United States
| products =
| products =
| services =
| services =
| focus =
| focus =
| mission = "To promote conservative free market principles to the citizens of America"
| method =
| method =
| revenue = $23,304,826 (2010)<ref name="GuideStar">{{cite web | url=http://www.guidestar.org/organizations/26-0620554/american-future-fund.aspx | title=Nonprofit Report for American Future Fund | publisher=GuideStar | accessdate=October 4, 2012}}</ref>
| revenue = $23,304,826 (2010)<ref name="GuideStar">{{cite web | url=http://www.guidestar.org/organizations/26-0620554/american-future-fund.aspx | title=Nonprofit Report for American Future Fund | publisher=GuideStar | access-date=October 4, 2012}}</ref>
| endowment =
| endowment =
| num_volunteers = 32,340<ref name="2010-990"/>
| num_volunteers = 32,340<ref name="2010-990"/>
Line 26: Line 25:
| subsid =
| subsid =
| owner =
| owner =
| motto =
| former name =
| former name =
| homepage = {{URL|americanfuturefund.com}}
| homepage = {{URL|americanfuturefund.com}}
Line 32: Line 30:
| footnotes =
| footnotes =
}}
}}
The '''American Future Fund''' is a [[501(c)(4)]] tax-exempt organization based in Iowa.<ref>{{cite news|title=A New GOP Player in the Soft Money World |url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/senate/a-new-player-in-the-soft-money.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130201055254/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/senate/a-new-player-in-the-soft-money.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 1, 2013 |date=March 24, 2008 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref>
The '''American Future Fund''' is an Iowa based [[501(c)(4)]] tax-exempt organization<ref>{{cite news|title=A New GOP Player in the Soft Money World |url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/senate/a-new-player-in-the-soft-money.html |date=March 24, 2008 |publisher=The Washington Post}}</ref> affiliated with the Center to Protect Patient Rights,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.publicintegrity.org/2011/10/31/7205/fine-line-between-politics-and-issues-spending-secretive-501c4-groups/?utm_source=iwatchnews&utm_medium=site-features&utm_campaign=most-active |title=Fine line between politics and issues spending by secretive 501(c)(4) groups |publisher=[[Sacramento Bee]] |date=May 31, 2012 |accessdate=September 29, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://bostonherald.com/news/us_politics/view/20120529centers_activities_provide_glimpse_into_network_of_conservative_advocacy_groups|title=Center's activities provide glimpse into network of conservative advocacy groups |publisher=[[Boston Herald]] |date=May 29, 2012 |accessdate=September 29, 2012}}</ref> which in turn has reported ties to billionaires [[Charles G. Koch]] and [[David H. Koch]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Fine line between politics and issues spending by secretive 501(c)(4) groups |publisher=[[The Sacramento Bee]] |date=September 15, 2012|accessdate=September 29, 2012 |url=http://www.sacbee.com/2012/09/15/4822025/4-million-added-to-support-prop.html#storylink=cpy}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://spreadsheets.latimes.com/cppr-funding/|publisher=[[Los Angeles Times]]|title=Center to Protect Patient Rights grantees |date=May 27, 2012 |accessdate=September 29, 2012}}</ref>


==Organization==
American Future Fund was founded by individuals who worked for [[Mitt Romney]]'s 2008 bid for the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] U.S. Presidential nomination.<ref>{{cite news |last=Evans |first=Will |title=Profile: American Future Fund |url=http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93790064 |date=August 20, 2008 |publisher=National Public Radio |accessdate=October 2, 2012}}</ref> Nick Ryan, an adviser to Republican US Representative [[Jim Nussle]], founded the organization in 2007, with Nicole Schlinger, a GOP leader in Iowa,<ref>{{cite news |last=Jacobs |first=Jennifer |title=Power fundraiser Nicole Schlinger signs on with Pawlenty |url=http://caucuses.desmoinesregister.com/2011/05/27/power-fundraiser-nicole-schlinger-signs-on-with-pawlenty/ |date=May 27, 2011 |publisher=[[Des Moines Register]] |accessdate=October 2, 2012}}</ref> as its president. Its current president is Iowa Republican state Sen. [[Sandra Greiner]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Robertson |first=Laurie |title=American Future Fund |url=http://www.factcheck.org/2011/09/american-future-fund-2/ |date=September 18, 2011 |publisher=[[Annenberg Public Policy Center]] |accessdate=October 2, 2012}}</ref>
Nick Ryan, an adviser to U.S. Representative [[Jim Nussle]], founded the organization in 2007.<ref>{{cite news |last=Jacobs |first=Jennifer |title=Power fundraiser Nicole Schlinger signs on with Pawlenty |url=http://caucuses.desmoinesregister.com/2011/05/27/power-fundraiser-nicole-schlinger-signs-on-with-pawlenty/ |date=May 27, 2011 |publisher=[[Des Moines Register]] |access-date=October 2, 2012 |archive-date=January 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130121121453/http://caucuses.desmoinesregister.com/2011/05/27/power-fundraiser-nicole-schlinger-signs-on-with-pawlenty/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Its current president is another Iowa state Senator [[Sandra Greiner]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Robertson |first=Laurie |title=American Future Fund |url=http://www.factcheck.org/2011/09/american-future-fund-2/ |date=September 18, 2011 |publisher=[[Annenberg Public Policy Center]] |access-date=October 2, 2012}}</ref> All are Republicans who served on [[Mitt Romney]]'s campaign for the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] U.S. Presidential nomination in 2008.<ref>{{cite news |last=Evans |first=Will |title=Profile: American Future Fund |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93790064 |date=August 20, 2008 |publisher=National Public Radio |access-date=October 2, 2012}}</ref>


The fund "advocates [[conservative]] and free-market principles."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2012/aug/14/american-future-fund/did-new-mexico-rep-spend-1-trillion-tax-dollars-st/ |title=Did New Mexico rep spend 1 trillion tax dollars |publisher=[[Tampa Bay Times]] |accessdate=September 29, 2012}}</ref> and energy positions that include support for drilling offshore and in the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge.<ref>{{cite web|last=Evans |first=Will |url=http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93790064 |title=Profile: American Future Fund |publisher=NPR |date=2008-08-20 |accessdate=2014-06-29}}</ref> In 2010, the fund reported over 9 million dollars of independent campaign expenditures to the [[Federal Election Commission|FEC]], and 100% of its expenditures benefited [[Republican Party (United States)|Republicans]].<ref name="WP Future Fund 2010 spending">{{cite news |last=Farnam |first=T.W. |title=American Future Fund |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/campaign/2010/spending/American-Future-Fund.html |publisher=The Washington Post |accessdate=September 29, 2012}}</ref>
The fund describes itself as providing Americans with "a conservative and free market viewpoint" with the means to communicate and advocate on behalf of those beliefs.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://americanfuturefund.com/about-us | title= About Us | publisher=American Freedom Fund| access-date=June 7, 2016}}</ref> <!-- Its positions on energy policy include support for offshore drilling both offshore and in the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge, increased oil exploration and refining, the development of alternative energy sources, including nuclear power.<ref name=nprprofile> --> In 2010, the fund reported over 9 million dollars of independent campaign expenditures to the [[Federal Election Commission]], and all of its expenditures benefited [[Republican Party (United States)|Republicans]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Farnam |first=T.W. |title=American Future Fund |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/campaign/2010/spending/American-Future-Fund.html |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=September 29, 2012}}</ref> According to [[OpenSecrets]], the American Future Fund ranked fourth in spending by nonprofits during the 2012 federal elections.<ref name=zuvich/>


The organization does not disclose the names of those who provide its funding.<ref>{{cite news|title=Political contributions more difficult to trace after key U.S. Supreme Court decisions |first=Kevin |last=Yamamura |publisher=Sacramento Bee |date=November 6, 2012 |url=http://www.sacbee.com/2012/11/06/4963560/political-contributions-more-difficult.html |access-date=November 6, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130106082931/http://www.sacbee.com/2012/11/06/4963560/political-contributions-more-difficult.html |archive-date=January 6, 2013 }}</ref> The Koch brothers have acknowledged funding the American Freedom Fund in some years. Others identified as providing funding include Iowa businessman [[Bruce Rastetter]], a founder of [[Ethanol fuel in the United States|US ethanol-producer]] [[Hawkeye Energy Holdings]], and the [[Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America]], a lobbying group.<ref name=zuvich/>
== Funding and Funding Disclosure==


It is affiliated with the Center to Protect Patient Rights.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.publicintegrity.org/2011/10/31/7205/fine-line-between-politics-and-issues-spending-secretive-501c4-groups/ |title=Fine line between politics and issues spending by secretive 501(c)(4) groups |publisher=Center for Public Integrity |date=May 31, 2012 |access-date=June 7, 2016 |first=Peter H. |last=Stone |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518075837/http://www.publicintegrity.org/2011/10/31/7205/fine-line-between-politics-and-issues-spending-secretive-501c4-groups/?utm_source=iwatchnews&utm_medium=site-features&utm_campaign=most-active |archive-date=May 18, 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://bostonherald.com/news/us_politics/view/20120529centers_activities_provide_glimpse_into_network_of_conservative_advocacy_groups|title=Center's activities provide glimpse into network of conservative advocacy groups |publisher=[[Boston Herald]] |date=May 29, 2012 |access-date=September 29, 2012}}</ref>
The organization does not disclose the names of those who have provided its funding.<ref>{{cite news |title=Political contributions more difficult to trace after key U.S. Supreme Court decisions |author=Kevin Yamamura |publisher=Sacramento Bee |date=November 6, 2012 |url= http://www.sacbee.com/2012/11/06/4963560/political-contributions-more-difficult.html |accessdate=November 6, 2012}}</ref>


==Activities in 2012==
==Activities==
The Fund's first communications effort was a positive ad in support of a candidate. Much of its communications work since then have involved [[Attack ad|negative advertising]] against Democrats,<ref name=nprprofile>{{cite web|last=Evans |first=Will |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93790064 |title=Profile: American Future Fund |publisher=NPR |date=August 20, 2008 |access-date=June 29, 2014}}</ref> but also includes advocacy for a Libertarian candidate designed to hurt a Democrat's chance of winning an election and television ads against [[Donald Trump]] during his campaign for the [[Republican Party presidential primaries, 2016|2016 Republican presidential nomination]].

*In March 2008, the Fund produced a television advertisement in support of U.S. Senator [[Norm Coleman]], who was running for re-election in Minnesota.<ref name=nprprofile/>
In 2012 the organization funded ads supporting [[Mitt Romney]]'s bid for the U.S. presidency.<ref>{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |title=Outside groups making play to help Romney with ads |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505245_162-57521708/outside-groups-making-play-to-help-romney-with-ads/ |date=September 27, 2012 |publisher=[[CBS News]] |accessdate=September 29, 2012 |deadurl=yes}} {{Dead link|date=April 2014|bot=RjwilmsiBot}}</ref> In the same year, it also funded ads attacking Missouri Attorney General [[Chris Koster]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Who's the "Imposter"? Chris Koster or Nonprofit Behind Attack Ad? |url=http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/dailyrft/2012/09/koster_the_imposter_ad_american_future_fund.php |publisher=[[The Riverfront Times]] |date= September 25, 2012 }}</ref> and in support of California's Proposition 32, which would prevent unions from collecting political contributions as paycheck deductions.<ref>{{cite news |title=$4 million added to support Prop. 32 |url=http://www.sacbee.com/2012/09/15/4822025/4-million-added-to-support-prop.html |date=September 15, 2012|publisher=[[The Sacramento Bee]]}}</ref>
*In 2012 the organization funded ads supporting [[Mitt Romney]]'s bid for the U.S. presidency.<ref>{{cite news|agency=Associated Press |title=Outside groups making play to help Romney with ads |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505245_162-57521708/outside-groups-making-play-to-help-romney-with-ads/ |date=September 27, 2012 |work=[[CBS News]] |access-date=September 29, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120929000747/http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505245_162-57521708/outside-groups-making-play-to-help-romney-with-ads/ |archive-date=September 29, 2012 }}</ref> Its spending during that election cycle exceeded $21 million, with half of that amount spent in support of Romney.<ref name=zuvich>{{cite news|last1=Zuvich|first1=Cady|title=Koch-linked group blasts John Kasich in ad buy|url=http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2016/1/28/koch-linked-group-blasts-john-kasich-in-ad-buy.html|access-date=June 8, 2016|publisher=Al Jazeera|date=January 28, 2016}}</ref>

*In 2012, it funded ads attacking Missouri Attorney General [[Chris Koster]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Who's the "Imposter"? Chris Koster or Nonprofit Behind Attack Ad? |url=http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/dailyrft/2012/09/koster_the_imposter_ad_american_future_fund.php |publisher=[[The Riverfront Times]] |date=September 25, 2012 |access-date=2012-09-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121101140315/http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/dailyrft/2012/09/koster_the_imposter_ad_american_future_fund.php |archive-date=2012-11-01 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
== Recent Activities ==
*In 2012 it funded ads in support of California's Proposition 32, which would prevent unions from collecting political contributions as paycheck deductions.<ref>{{cite news |title=$4 million added to support Prop. 32 |url=http://www.sacbee.com/2012/09/15/4822025/4-million-added-to-support-prop.html |date=September 15, 2012 |publisher=[[The Sacramento Bee]] |access-date=2012-09-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120918034335/http://www.sacbee.com/2012/09/15/4822025/4-million-added-to-support-prop.html |archive-date=2012-09-18 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

*In 2012, it funded attack against U.S. Representative [[Martin Heinrich]] who was running for the U.S. Senate from New Mexico.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2012/aug/14/american-future-fund/did-new-mexico-rep-spend-1-trillion-tax-dollars-st/ |title=Did New Mexico rep spend 1 trillion tax dollars on a stimulus for 'failed companies here and jobs overseas'? |publisher=Politifact |access-date=June 7, 2016 | date=August 14, 2012|first=Louis|last=Jacobson}}</ref>
Most recently, the fund has sponsored ads in support of the [[Libertarian]] candidate for the [[United States Senate election in North Carolina, 2014]], Sean Haugh. The ads portray Haugh as the "[[anti-war]]" candidate and claim that he supports the legalization of, "weed" (i.e., [[marijuana]]). The ads also encourage voters that if they support these ideas, they should avoid voting for incumbent Democratic senator, [[Kay Hagan]]. The ads have been aired on subscription media services, including Pandora. Though the ads direct support toward Haugh, the candidate himself has stated that he "[has] a whole new reason to despise Koch brothers and their dark money," referencing the link between Charles and David Koch and the American Future Fund.<ref>http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2014/10/23/358118060/outside-group-sends-blunt-message-in-n-c-senate-race</ref>
*In 2014 the fund sponsored ads in support of the [[Libertarian]] candidate in the [[United States Senate election in North Carolina, 2014|North Carolina U.S. Senate election]], Sean Haugh. The ads portrayed Haugh as an [[anti-war]] candidate and supporter of the legalization of [[cannabis]]. They told voters who supported these positions to avoid voting for Senator [[Kay Hagan]], the incumbent and a Democrat. Haugh, who believed the American Future Fund is financed by Charles and David Koch, said the ads gave him "a whole new reason to despise Koch brothers and their dark money".<ref>{{cite news|publisher=NPR | url=https://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2014/10/23/358118060/outside-group-sends-blunt-message-in-n-c-senate-race | access-date=June 7, 2016|title= Outside Group Sends Blunt Message In N.C. Senate Race | date=October 23, 2014 | first=S.V. | last=Daté}}</ref>

In the [[Wisconsin gubernatorial election, 2014]] the American Future Fund has sponsored a pro-pot ad described by the [[Mary Burke]] campaign, as well as by some journalists and commentators, as being intended to divide or confuse the progressive liberal voting base, ineffectively or not. Though championing the candidate Robert Burke (former Republican, now running as a Libertarian), the ads do clearly state in text that they were not sponsored or approved by any candidate, but rather by the American Future Fund alone.<ref>{{cite news |title=Pro-weed ads prompt blunt exchange between Walker and Burke campaigns|url=http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/281226021.html?page=1#!page=6&pageSize=10&sort=newestfirst |date=November 2, 2014|publisher=[[Milwaukee Wisconsin Journal Sentinel Online]]}}</ref>
*In 2014 in the [[Wisconsin gubernatorial election, 2014|Wisconsin gubernatorial election]] the Fund sponsored a series of nine advertisements promoting Libertarian candidate Robert Burke, a former Republican, on the basis of his advocacy for legalizing marijuana. The campaign of Democratic candidate [[Mary Burke]], as well as by some journalists and commentators, believed they represented an attempt to divide or confuse progressive and liberal voters. Burke said: "While I endorse the full legalization of cannabis, I do not endorse in any way the message of this ad." The incumbent Governor [[Scott Walker (politician)|Scott Walker]], a Republican, denied any connection to the ads. The ads include a statement that they are not sponsored or approved by any candidate, but rather by the American Future Fund alone.<ref>{{cite news |access-date=June 7, 2016|title=Pro-weed ads prompt blunt exchange between Walker and Burke campaigns |url=http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/281226021.html |first=Daniel |last=Bice |date=November 2, 2014|publisher=[[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]]}}</ref>
* In 2016, the Fund spent more than $100,000 on television advertising in New Hampshire that called Ohio Governor [[John Kasich]] an "Obama Republican".<ref name=zuvich/>

* In 2016, the Fund ran television advertisements in which former clients of [[Trump University]] described how they were taken in by the Trump brand name and manipulated into spending increasing amounts of money.<ref>{{cite news| newspaper=Washington Post| date= February 29, 2016| access-date=June 3, 2016| url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2016/02/29/a-trio-of-truthful-attack-ads-about-trump-university/ | title= A trio of truthful attack ads about Trump University | first=Glenn| last=Kessler}}</ref>
A website domain, "supportrobertburke.com," hosts the American Future Fund's Robert Burke ads and features the, "Get Burke, Get Blazed" tagline created by the group.<ref>http://supportrobertburke.com/</ref> A US magazine, [[The Nation]], called the ads, "the most cynical political ploy of 2014," referencing both the American Future Fund's ads in Wisconsin for Robert Burke, and also those for Sean Haugh in the North Carolina senate race.<ref>http://www.thenation.com/blog/187481/most-cynical-political-ploy-2014</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
Line 58: Line 57:


==References==
==References==
{{Div col|2}}
{{Reflist|2}}
{{Reflist}}
{{div col end}}


==External links==
==External links==
⚫
* [http://americanfuturefund.com American Future Fund Website]
⚫
* [http://www.opensecrets.org/outsidespending/detail.php?cmte=American%20Future%20Fund Open Secrets(Center for Responsive Politics) Page on American Future Fund]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20150105193204/http://nccsweb.urban.org/communityplatform/nccs/organization/profile/id/260620554/popup/1 Organizational Profile] – [[National Center for Charitable Statistics]] ([[Urban Institute]])
⚫
* [http://americanfuturefund.com/about-us American Future Fund Website]
⚫
* [[OpenSecrets]] page on [http://www.opensecrets.org/outsidespending/detail.php?cmte=American%20Future%20Fund American Future Fund]
* [http://www.factcheck.org/tag/american-future-fund/ Factcheck.org Page on American Future Fund]
* [http://www.factcheck.org/tag/american-future-fund/ Factcheck.org Page on American Future Fund]


{{authority control}}
{{coord|41.5463|N|93.6449|W|display=title}}


[[Category:Non-profit organizations based in Iowa]]
[[Category:Non-profit organizations based in Iowa]]
Line 73: Line 71:
[[Category:Organizations established in 2007]]
[[Category:Organizations established in 2007]]
[[Category:501(c)(4) nonprofit organizations]]
[[Category:501(c)(4) nonprofit organizations]]
[[Category:Conservative organizations in the United States]]

Latest revision as of 15:58, 5 September 2024

American Future Fund
Founded2007 (2007)[1]
Type501(c)(4) Nonprofit
26-0620554 (EIN)
Location
Coordinates41°32′47″N 93°38′42″W / 41.5463°N 93.6449°W / 41.5463; -93.6449
Area served
United States
Members
3
Key people
Sandra Greiner, President[1]
Revenue
$23,304,826 (2010)[2]
Employees0
Volunteers
32,340[1]
Websiteamericanfuturefund.com

The American Future Fund is a 501(c)(4) tax-exempt organization based in Iowa.[3]

Organization

[edit]

Nick Ryan, an adviser to U.S. Representative Jim Nussle, founded the organization in 2007.[4] Its current president is another Iowa state Senator Sandra Greiner.[5] All are Republicans who served on Mitt Romney's campaign for the Republican U.S. Presidential nomination in 2008.[6]

The fund describes itself as providing Americans with "a conservative and free market viewpoint" with the means to communicate and advocate on behalf of those beliefs.[7] In 2010, the fund reported over 9 million dollars of independent campaign expenditures to the Federal Election Commission, and all of its expenditures benefited Republicans.[8] According to OpenSecrets, the American Future Fund ranked fourth in spending by nonprofits during the 2012 federal elections.[9]

The organization does not disclose the names of those who provide its funding.[10] The Koch brothers have acknowledged funding the American Freedom Fund in some years. Others identified as providing funding include Iowa businessman Bruce Rastetter, a founder of US ethanol-producer Hawkeye Energy Holdings, and the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, a lobbying group.[9]

It is affiliated with the Center to Protect Patient Rights.[11][12]

Activities

[edit]

The Fund's first communications effort was a positive ad in support of a candidate. Much of its communications work since then have involved negative advertising against Democrats,[13] but also includes advocacy for a Libertarian candidate designed to hurt a Democrat's chance of winning an election and television ads against Donald Trump during his campaign for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination.

  • In March 2008, the Fund produced a television advertisement in support of U.S. Senator Norm Coleman, who was running for re-election in Minnesota.[13]
  • In 2012 the organization funded ads supporting Mitt Romney's bid for the U.S. presidency.[14] Its spending during that election cycle exceeded $21 million, with half of that amount spent in support of Romney.[9]
  • In 2012, it funded ads attacking Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster[15]
  • In 2012 it funded ads in support of California's Proposition 32, which would prevent unions from collecting political contributions as paycheck deductions.[16]
  • In 2012, it funded attack against U.S. Representative Martin Heinrich who was running for the U.S. Senate from New Mexico.[17]
  • In 2014 the fund sponsored ads in support of the Libertarian candidate in the North Carolina U.S. Senate election, Sean Haugh. The ads portrayed Haugh as an anti-war candidate and supporter of the legalization of cannabis. They told voters who supported these positions to avoid voting for Senator Kay Hagan, the incumbent and a Democrat. Haugh, who believed the American Future Fund is financed by Charles and David Koch, said the ads gave him "a whole new reason to despise Koch brothers and their dark money".[18]
  • In 2014 in the Wisconsin gubernatorial election the Fund sponsored a series of nine advertisements promoting Libertarian candidate Robert Burke, a former Republican, on the basis of his advocacy for legalizing marijuana. The campaign of Democratic candidate Mary Burke, as well as by some journalists and commentators, believed they represented an attempt to divide or confuse progressive and liberal voters. Burke said: "While I endorse the full legalization of cannabis, I do not endorse in any way the message of this ad." The incumbent Governor Scott Walker, a Republican, denied any connection to the ads. The ads include a statement that they are not sponsored or approved by any candidate, but rather by the American Future Fund alone.[19]
  • In 2016, the Fund spent more than $100,000 on television advertising in New Hampshire that called Ohio Governor John Kasich an "Obama Republican".[9]
  • In 2016, the Fund ran television advertisements in which former clients of Trump University described how they were taken in by the Trump brand name and manipulated into spending increasing amounts of money.[20]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "2010 IRS Form 990 Federal Tax Return" (PDF). Foundation Center. Retrieved October 4, 2012.[permanent dead link‍]
  2. ^ "Nonprofit Report for American Future Fund". GuideStar. Retrieved October 4, 2012.
  3. ^ "A New GOP Player in the Soft Money World". The Washington Post. March 24, 2008. Archived from the original on February 1, 2013.
  4. ^ Jacobs, Jennifer (May 27, 2011). "Power fundraiser Nicole Schlinger signs on with Pawlenty". Des Moines Register. Archived from the original on January 21, 2013. Retrieved October 2, 2012.
  5. ^ Robertson, Laurie (September 18, 2011). "American Future Fund". Annenberg Public Policy Center. Retrieved October 2, 2012.
  6. ^ Evans, Will (August 20, 2008). "Profile: American Future Fund". National Public Radio. Retrieved October 2, 2012.
  7. ^ "About Us". American Freedom Fund. Retrieved June 7, 2016.
  8. ^ Farnam, T.W. "American Future Fund". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 29, 2012.
  9. ^ a b c d Zuvich, Cady (January 28, 2016). "Koch-linked group blasts John Kasich in ad buy". Al Jazeera. Retrieved June 8, 2016.
  10. ^ Yamamura, Kevin (November 6, 2012). "Political contributions more difficult to trace after key U.S. Supreme Court decisions". Sacramento Bee. Archived from the original on January 6, 2013. Retrieved November 6, 2012.
  11. ^ Stone, Peter H. (May 31, 2012). "Fine line between politics and issues spending by secretive 501(c)(4) groups". Center for Public Integrity. Archived from the original on May 18, 2015. Retrieved June 7, 2016.
  12. ^ "Center's activities provide glimpse into network of conservative advocacy groups". Boston Herald. May 29, 2012. Retrieved September 29, 2012.
  13. ^ a b Evans, Will (August 20, 2008). "Profile: American Future Fund". NPR. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
  14. ^ "Outside groups making play to help Romney with ads". CBS News. Associated Press. September 27, 2012. Archived from the original on September 29, 2012. Retrieved September 29, 2012.
  15. ^ "Who's the "Imposter"? Chris Koster or Nonprofit Behind Attack Ad?". The Riverfront Times. September 25, 2012. Archived from the original on 2012-11-01. Retrieved 2012-09-29.
  16. ^ "$4 million added to support Prop. 32". The Sacramento Bee. September 15, 2012. Archived from the original on 2012-09-18. Retrieved 2012-09-29.
  17. ^ Jacobson, Louis (August 14, 2012). "Did New Mexico rep spend 1 trillion tax dollars on a stimulus for 'failed companies here and jobs overseas'?". Politifact. Retrieved June 7, 2016.
  18. ^ Daté, S.V. (October 23, 2014). "Outside Group Sends Blunt Message In N.C. Senate Race". NPR. Retrieved June 7, 2016.
  19. ^ Bice, Daniel (November 2, 2014). "Pro-weed ads prompt blunt exchange between Walker and Burke campaigns". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved June 7, 2016.
  20. ^ Kessler, Glenn (February 29, 2016). "A trio of truthful attack ads about Trump University". Washington Post. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=American_Future_Fund&oldid=1244192919"